Mistakes Family Caregivers Make Every Day

It’s estimated that there are 34.2 million unpaid caregivers providing care to someone 50 or older. Almost half of these caregivers are between the ages of 18 and 49. Many family caregivers make the same mistakes. It doesn’t matter where you live or how old you are, if you’re doing these things, you need to stop.

Senior Care Windsor CA – Mistakes Family Caregivers Make Every Day

Tackling Caregiving as a Solo Project

Caregiving is not a solo project. If you’re one of the thousands who don’t get any help, you need to take steps to change that. Talk to your siblings about stepping up and helping out. If they won’t, go to your cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and close neighbors. Can anyone help?

You may need to extend beyond this and reach out to your local Agency on Aging. See if there are volunteer programs that offer assistance in your town. You can’t do everything on your own. If you try, caregiver burnout, anxiety, and depression are the three key risks you face.

Avoiding Support Groups

Caregiver support groups are essential social tools when you’re caring for an aging parent. You need a place to vent. You need the people you’re venting to to understand you. With the right caregiver support group, you’ll find a supportive team who can help you at every turn.

Even if you don’t think you have time, make time. You don’t have to leave the house if that’s the problem. There are online support groups that will help. If you do have time to get out of the house and attend a weekly or monthly meeting, the face-to-face interactions will be beneficial.

Failing to Ever Take Breaks

When was the last time you took a break? Has it been so long that you can’t remember? You’re not alone. Family caregivers often put their needs last and focus on their parents, spouse/partner, and children first. Social activities decline and lead to mental, emotional, and physical health issues.

Respite care is a service offered by professional caregivers that ensures you get to take time away. Hire senior care providers for a day every now and then. Bring in senior care providers while you take a week’s vacation. Just make sure you’re taking those breaks as often as you need.

Forcing Themselves to Do Uncomfortable Caregiving Tasks

It’s okay if you struggle with aspects of caregiving. Don’t overlook the benefits of senior care providers to help you with the harder tasks you face. If you or your parents don’t relish the idea of you helping with toileting or bathing, professional senior care providers are the perfect solution. You can still help with some aspects of care but not the more intimate ones. Talk to our senior care agency to learn more.

In 1988, after working as a clinical nurse in the University Health System at UC San Francisco, Lucy Andrews started understanding home care.

She became a discharge planner and immediately fell in love with the concept of home care and the autonomous clinical practice it affords nurses. Dr. Lucy was hooked and has been a strong supporter of home care ever since.Believing people need advocates in healthcare systems, she has championed that cause across the acute care and post-acute care setting.

Dr. Lucy has worked in every aspect of home care from Medicare Certified, DME, Infusion, Hospice and finally Private Duty/Private Pay services. She also works as a home care consultant across the country and as a legal nurse consultant for the home care industry.

Having worked in all areas of home care, Dr. Lucy has a well-rounded perspective of the challenges facing patients, families and the home care industry, and as a provider she advocates for patients through the maze of health care services. Dr. Lucy celebrated over 37 years as a nurse and patient advocate.

Dr. Lucy has a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.In 1994, she received her Masters of Science in Health Service Administration from St. Mary's University, Moraga, California. Dr. Lucy received her Doctor of Nursing Practice awarded in 2016, graduating with Distinction and a 4.0 GPA.

She did her doctoral work on the global dementia crisis, aging and prevention strategies for healthy living. Developed dementia and Alzheimer's disease plans for aging patients leaving the hospital setting or entering long-term care or home health and hospice environments. She also developed a specialized program for those at risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

In 1992, Dr. Lucy was designated CAHSAH Certified Home Care Administrator in the inaugural offering of this designation through the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH).

She is the founder and CEO of Creative Solutions Home Care Consulting Services and At Your Service Nursing & Home Care, a concierge nursing & home care agency that provides the services she believes are essential for seniors to age in place.She offers a higher level of care allowing people to be in their own homes with an emphasis on independence, safety, and quality of life.

Dr. Lucy is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) and sits on the Board of Directors for California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH).

She has served on the boards for both state and national board associations, and is currently on the following boards and committees: Board of Directors, California State Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH), 2002-present, National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC's) Private Duty Home Care Association Director, and multiple state and national home care committees.

Dr. Lucy goes to Washington, DC, several times a year to advocate for senior services and home care issues. She was past Commissioner for the Sonoma Commission on Human Rights.She is past chair of the local Senior Advocacy Services.